Fans have thrown their support behind the historic EISS Super Sapphire Trial Tribute at Bega on Friday and Saturday (28-29 February) with tickets officially sold out for the festival of football to assist rural communities and individuals who have been affected by the drought and bushfires.
The event includes NSWRL Junior Representative competitions for the Andrew Johns Cup and Laurie Daley Cup matches and a NRL trial between Parramatta and Penrith.
The Johns and Daley Cup matches will feature the Illawarra South Coast and Monaro Colts and will be exclusively live streamed on NSWRL.com.au.
Locals and visitors, and those without a match ticket, are encouraged to make use of the live site which will be activated next to the Bega Recreation Ground from 12.00pm on Saturday, February 29.
The NRL can confirm the entertainment at the live site will feature local artists Sam Stevenson as well as Matt Glass & The Loose Cannons, alongside Amy Shark and Brad Cox, from 6.15pm, immediately following the trial match.
The live site will include a Kids Zone, Food Stalls, and will show the Panthers-Eels trial on the big screen.
Both the Panthers and the Eels will be undertaking a range of activities across the Sapphire Coast community over three days from Thursday, including:
- School visits in Tarthra, Narooma, Moruya, Bodalla, Quaama, Eden, Pambula, Merimbula, Wolumla, Bega Valley and Candelo;
- State of Mind activations in Moruya, Eden, Pambula and Narooma;
- Eels and Panthers players meeting with volunteers and emergency responders in Cobargo, Bemboka, Eden and Narooma;
- Open Training Sessions and Player meet and greets at Bega Recreational Ground in the morning of Friday, February 28.
“This game has always been about far more than just footy,” NRL CEO Todd Greenberg said.
“It is about bringing locals together as well as encouraging our supporters outside the Sapphire Coast to support the coast region.
“It will be fantastic to see some local artists showcased at the live site and it will also be great to see our players spread throughout the region visiting schools and meeting with those impacted by the bushfires.
“I know how much this trial means to the two Clubs and the players who will be putting on a show on the Saturday.
“The fact that we are sold out highlights the community – and those outside the region – are coming together to support a common cause.”
The trial match will be broadcast nationally by FOX Sports, Channel Nine, Telstra LivePass and free on the NRL App. FOX Sports have also scheduled a special OzTag match on Friday afternoon, named Fox League Footy For Fires, featuring legends and FOX Sports talent.
All profits from ticket sales and donations made through Ticketek will go to The Salvation Army’s Rural Assistance Appeal which helps rural communities and individuals who’ve been affected by the drought and bushfires.
Those who hold a match ticket are encouraged to download tickets before arriving or to have tickets printed before the game.
The EISS Super Sapphire Trial Tribute forms part of rugby league’s coordinated whole of game response to the bushfire emergency. The NRL, NSWRL, QRL and RLPA have joined together to assist communities impacted by the fires.
